Surname MacLester - Meaning and Origin
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MacLester: What does the surname MacLester mean?
The last name MacLester is an anglicized version of Mac an Lochshair, an Irish name. Mac an Lochshair means "son of the sailor" and the MacLester surname is say to have originated from a Norse seaman who settled in Ireland.
The MacLester surname is believed to have first arisen in County Down, where the name became widespread. The earliest confirmed references to the name include a Mathias MacLester, born in Taughboyne, County Donegal, in 1622, and a Charles MacLester, born in Clare, Ireland, in 1680.
Due to its Norse origins, there is evidence that the name was used as an anglicized form of the Norwegian 'Lysetra', which means 'Island of Light'. It is believed that the surname was adopted by Norsemen who settled in Ireland and took on a Gaelic form.
The MacLester name likely represents a strong Scandinavian influence, which can still be seen in modern Ireland, particularly in areas of Donegal, Clare and Kerry. Despite its Norwegian origins, the name has been widely adopted as an Irish surname and is found all across the country.
The MacLester name has a long history and is an important part of Irish culture. It is a reminder of the strong connection between Norway and Ireland and is an example of the influence Norse settlers had on the culture and language of the Irish people.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLester: Where does the name MacLester come from?
The last name MacLester is not particularly common today, but can still be found throughout much of the English speaking world. Historically, the name is thought to have originated in the lands of Scotland and Northern Ireland. It may be derived from one of several distinct places, such as MacLester in Angus, MacLester Hill near the town of Stranraer, or the MacLester barony in Renfrewshire.
The surname is believed to have spread during the Highland Scots migration in the early 19th century, as many people of Scottish descent brought the name with them to North America and Australia. Today, the MacLester name can be found mainly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, evidence of the name’s presence in these countries decreases as one moves away from any major metropolitan areas.
In the United States, the name is predominant in Arkansas, with the most common cities being Little Rock and North Little Rock. There are also records of MacLesters living in Mississippi and Tennessee.
In Canada, the name is true to its Scottish roots and is concentrated mostly in Ontario, with several cities having a MacLester presence. These include Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton.
In Australia, the MacLester surname is found throughout the states of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
Overall, the last name MacLester is not commonly found today, but is by no means rare. While it is concentrated in certain parts of the world, one can still find the name scattered throughout the English speaking world.
Variations of the surname MacLester
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacLester are MacLachlan, MacLellan, MacLennan, MacLaine, MacLauren, McLester, MacLexter, and MacLeish.
MacLachlan is derived from the Gaelic Maclochlainn and translates as “son of Lochlan” or “from Lochlan”, while MacLellan also comes from the Gaelic MacGillefhaolain and translates as “son of the servant of St.Fillan”. MacLennan is derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Fhinnein and literally translates as "son of the servant of St. Finan". MacLaine likely originates from the Gaelic MacGille Eathain, meaning “son of the servant of St. John”.
MacLauren comes from the Gaelic MacLorain and translates as “son of Loran”, while McLester is derived from the English Mac Leastaire and translates as “son of the follower of Leastar”. MacLexter comes from the Gaelic MacLaoghssair and literally translates as “son of the follower of MacLaochsar”. Finally, MacLeish is derived from the Gaelic MacGille Easbuig and translates as “son of the servant of Bishop”.
All of the above variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacLester all likely come from Scottish and Irish backgrounds, although further research may be required to confirm exact details of the various surname's origins.
Famous people with the name MacLester
- Paul MacLester: an American actor known for appearing in several films in the 1970s and 1980s.
- David MacLester: an American lawyer and politician.
- William M. MacLester: a Canadian physicist and professor at McGill University.
- Graham MacLester: a Canadian lawyer and founder of the now-defunct civil rights firm MacLester & Associates.
- Michael MacLester: an American musician.
- Jacob MacLester: a Canadian novelist and playwright.
- Alan MacLester: a British contemporary artist.
- Tracey Jean MacLester: a Canadian professional golfer who won multiple tournaments.
- Sophie MacLester: an American Broadway actress.
- Ben MacLester: a Scottish politician.